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Participant Information Sheet

Title: Examining the Relational Focus within Paraphilic and Normophilic Sexual Fantasies and Associated Factors

Content Warning: This study is examining a sensitive topic and involves answering questions sexual fantasies and behaviours, personal relationships, and objectification. If these topics and questions are likely to cause you distress, it is advised that you do not participate. We are inviting you to take part in a research study.

Before you decide, it is important that you know why we are doing the study and what is involved. Please read the following information carefully.

What is the purpose of the study?
This online research project explores the presence and degree of relational focus within sexual fantasies and whether this differs across different types of fantasies. Sexual fantasies are a common part of human experience and yet there is little research into how relational focus is reflected within them. This research aims to improve the psychological understanding of sexual thoughts and contribute to future research into this area.

Am I eligible to take part?
You are being invited to take part in this study as you are an adult aged 18 or over who is able to read and understand English.

Do I have to take part?
Participation is completely voluntary. You should only take part if you want to and choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in anyway.

What will I be asked to do?
The study will take place online via QuestionPro and can be completed using a computer or mobile device. The study will take approximately 25 minutes to complete. You will first be required to consent to participate in the study, and then provide some demographic information related to age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, occupation, and relationship status. You will then be asked to complete measures on sexual fantasy, relational focus, the likelihood to enact fantasies measure, as well as a questionnaire into Dark Triad Traits, a sexual objectification scale and a Sexual Communal Strength scale (which measures one’s degree to which they attend to a partner’s sexual needs). Upon completion of all study components, participants will be presented with a Debrief sheet that the aims of the study and explains how the data will be used. Contact details for both researcher and supervisor will be provided alongside any relevant support services in the case of any discomfort or stress.

Please note - the measures used in this study are research tools and do not reflect the views or opinions of the researchers or University of Lincoln.

Will I be paid expenses for taking part?
You will not be paid to participate in the study.

What are the possible benefits / risks of taking part?
You will benefit from this study by contributing to the advancement of forensic psychology literature. This may help to improve the understanding of how relational focus is reflected within different sexual fantasy’s and whether there is a link to other external factors also.Nonetheless, although there are no anticipated risks beyond those encountered in everyday life, the study involves questions regarding sexual fantasies and personal attitudes which you may find sensitive or uncomfortable. That said, participation is completely voluntary, and you may leave this study at any time by closing the browser, should you feel any form of psychological harm.

Will anyone know I have taken part?
The information we collect will be handled in confidence. No one will know you have taken part, as your responses are anonymous. However, please note that data collected via SONA will be pseudo-anonymised, as an ID is created to allow the assigning of SONA points to the correct participant account. However, the researchers will not access this ID.

Where will my data be stored?
The data obtained from the study will be stored securely on the university OneDrive in password protected files. Only the researcher/researchers will have access to it. The data from this study may be put in an Open Access repository for other researchers to use in future research.

What will happen if I don’t want to carry on with the study?
As you have completed the study anonymously it will not be possible to remove the data provided, as we will not be able to identify you in any way. However, you are able to leave the study at any time prior to completion should you feel any form of psychological distress or harm.

What will happen to the results of the research study?
The results of this study are to be written up as a part of my qualification for a Master’s in forensic psychology. These findings will be included in a research report, and may be published in an academic and/or presented at research conferences.Who is organising and funding the research?This research is being organised by Harriet Scott-Edwards at the University of Lincoln and is under the supervision of Dr Ross Bartels.

Who has reviewed the study?
All research conducted by the University of Lincoln is looked at by an independent group of people, called a Research Ethics Committee, to protect your interests. This study has been reviewed and given favourable opinion by a University of Lincoln Research Ethics Committee (UoL2026_ 22146).

Information compliance 
The University of Lincoln is the lead organisation for this study and will be the data controller for this study. This means that we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly.  The university’s Research Participant Privacy Notice (https://ethics.lincoln.ac.uk/research-privacy-notice/) explains how we will be using information from you in order to undertake this study.  If you feel that we have let you down in relation to your information rights then please contact the Information Compliance Team by email on [email protected] or by post at Information Compliance, Secretariat, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS. You can also make complaints directly to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). The ICO is the independent authority upholding information rights for the UK. Their website is ico.org.uk and their telephone helpline number is 0303 123 1113.

What if there is a problem?
It is very unlikely that this study would cause you any harm. If you have a concern or a complaint about any aspect of this study, you should ask to speak to the researchers who will do their best to answer your questions. The researchers contact details are given at the end of this information sheet. If you remain unhappy and wish to complain formally, you can make a formal complaint through the University complaints procedure or by contacting [email protected].

Further information and contact details

Support services
If you are affected by any of the issues raised so far, the following organisations can provide advice:

Brook.org.uk: 07717989023 (relationship, sexual health, well-being advice)
Mind.org.uk: 03001233393 (Mental health/well-being advice)
Here4You: 08002346342 (Wellbeing/mental health services)
NHS Sexual Health: 03001237123 (the National Sexual health Helpline)

Contact details
Lead Researcher – Harriet Scott-Edwards, [email protected]
Supervisor – Ross Bartels, [email protected]

 
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